Italy reports rise in West Nile and Dengue cases

Italy is experiencing a rise in mosquito-borne illnesses, with the National Institute of Health (ISS) reporting 700 confirmed cases of West Nile virus and 312 cases of Dengue as of late September 2026. Among the West Nile cases, 368 have developed neuroinvasive forms, and 54 deaths have been notified. The virus has been detected in 83 provinces across 19 Italian regions.

In response to these outbreaks and suspected cases, various municipalities and health authorities have launched emergency disinfection and pest control measures. Localized interventions, including adulticide and larvicide treatments, are being implemented in areas such as Sestri, Bisceglie, Salerno, Lastra a Signa, and Parma to mitigate the spread of the tiger mosquito and other vectors.

Health organizations, including Ats Brianza, are also focusing on long-term prevention and the 'One Health' approach, which emphasizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health to combat the growing threat of arboviruses like Zika and Chikungunya.